Yarn Composition - Animal Sources
Information on the Source Fibers that Go Into Making Yarns
Knowing the properties of yarn can help in choosing the best type for a project. Animal-based yarns are widely used. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
Yarn is a continuous strand made up of fibers or filaments, used for making fabric or textiles of various kinds. The distinct types of knitting yarn are categorized by their weight, purpose, ply, source fiber(s), texture, color, and pattern. In addition, knitters choosing yarn will want to match yardage and gauge.
Animal sources are just one way to get the material needed to make yarn. Animal fiber yarns are very popular, and knowing their properties will help when choosing among them for a project.
Animal Sources
Wool: Wool, which is made from the fleece of a sheep or lamb, is so very popular; lamb's wool is softer and finer. The term is also often applied to other animal-hair fibers, including the hair of the camel, alpaca, or llama.
Wool is warm, insulating, resilient, breathable, water-repellent, dirt-resistant, and naturally flame retardant. It takes dye well. Its characteristics vary somewhat within different breeds of sheep.
Wool is weaker wet than dry, but it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet. It felts when subjected to heat, moisture, and friction. Some manufacturers make it machine washable by treating it to a “superwash” process.
Alpaca: Made from the hair of the alpaca, this fiber is incredibly soft and warm. Most alpaca wool comes from Peru, its indigenous home. Alpaca retains its shape well, and often after washing, the fabric will have a very faint silvery bloom.
Alpaca yarn is greatly appreciated for its hypoallergenic qualities, allowing it to be comfortably worn by many people who are otherwise allergic to animal fibers. Alpaca is warm without being oppressive, thanks to the yarn's fluid, relaxed drape.
Mohair: Mohair is durable, resilient, strong, and soil-resistant. It accepts dye well and is very warm for its weight. Its threads are long and lustrous, and are a big part of why they are so popular.
Cashmere: Cashmere is characterized by its luxuriously soft fibers. Appropriate for all climates, high moisture content allows insulation properties to change with the relative humidity in the air.
More Information
Yarndex, has been heralded as the ultimate yarn resource, and it features profiles for over 3,500 yarns. It is primarily a reference site that gives the details about yarns before a knitter purchases them. Their site is searchable by weight, content, brand, and more. Each yarn’s information, such as yardage, gauge, and care is supplied. Pictures and information of both current and discontinued yarns are included.
Related Articles: Plant-Source Yarns and Synthetic Yarns.
